After lunch, the three of them headed straight home.
Shinji still hadn't woken up, so Shirou had no choice but to carry him on his back, while Sakura Matou walked silently beside him.
"Um... Brother Shirou..."
"I'm not your brother. Just call me Shirou."
"Thank you for speaking up for me in front of Father... Uncle Tohsaka."
Sakura Matou bit her lip, then finally worked up the courage to say, "And also, I'm really sorry... I lied before. I actually didn't want to leave the Tohsaka Family..."
"It's nothing. I've long since gotten used to betrayal."
Shirou said it without a care.
Volume One 007: The Birth of Love
For Sakura Matou, today was a special day.
Since she was little, she had always lived under the protection of various people.
Her father's protection.
A father who was filled with the dignity of a mature adult and remained elegant at all times.
Her mother's protection.
A gentle and virtuous mother who seemed to embody the words "Yamato Nadeshiko."
Her sister's protection.
A perfect older sister who was only one year older than Sakura, yet handled everything with ease.
A cool older sister who stood up when her little sister was bullied by the boys around her, earning the respect of children and the praise of adults.
Until now, Sakura Matou had lived under their protection.
But from today onward, they were no longer Sakura's family.
Tokiomi Tohsaka stroked Sakura's head and gave her his final instruction.
"Sakura, you possess talent. You have extraordinary potential, enough to fulfill the Tohsaka Family's long-held wish.
"After you arrive at the Matou Family, please do not forget the Tohsaka Family—and do not forget the pride of being a magus."
Sakura Matou could not really understand what the man was saying.
She only realized that Tokiomi Tohsaka was no longer speaking to her as a father, but as a magus.
Aoi Tohsaka hugged Sakura and shed tears.
"You haven't done anything wrong. But since you were born into a magus family, you must learn to accept this kind of fate."
Sakura Matou understood the woman's helplessness and powerlessness all too well. Instead, she comforted the grieving Aoi Tohsaka.
Rin Tohsaka clenched her tiny fists, her expression on the verge of tears. Yet until the very end, she said nothing and shed no tears.
It was the first time Sakura Matou had ever seen Rin so dejected.
Oh... So even my sister can make that kind of expression... the girl secretly thought.
And so, she was sent to the Matou Family.
Sakura Matou vaguely understood why she was the one being sent away.
Because Sakura was an obedient, well-behaved, introverted child.
Although Rin Tohsaka was outstanding, her personality was too strong. If she went to the Matou Family, there was no telling what kind of trouble she might cause in the future—
That was something Tokiomi Tohsaka, who regarded the family's reputation as his life, could never accept.
In other words, Sakura Matou's greatest virtue was her obedience.
Therefore, the girl tried her best to obey, so that the adults would not be disappointed in her.
Therefore, the girl silently accepted everything. She did not want the adults to think she was a disobedient, bad child.
Regarding Tokiomi Tohsaka's decision, she tried her hardest to display an accepting and submissive attitude.
Sakura did not want anyone around her to discover that she might be a rebellious child.
Even if it was only a little, the girl wanted to demonstrate a value that belonged uniquely to her—
Just then, an inharmonious noise rang out.
Sakura Matou raised her head and saw a boy about her age.
He wore an unhappy expression as he confronted Tokiomi Tohsaka, who was several decades older than him and radiated authority.
"Your daughter clearly doesn't want this."
Huh? How could he know?
This was the first time anyone had seen through Sakura Matou's thoughts.
She should not have shown the slightest trace of unwillingness. How had he known?
Many kind people cared about Sakura, yet no one had ever seen through the girl's disguise.
But he was different.
He did not treat Sakura as the introverted, obedient child who was always hiding behind her sister.
He saw through the grievance Sakura had buried in her heart.
This person was completely different from everyone else. The girl's heart began to pound.
"Sakura, do you not want to leave the Tohsaka Family?"
When Tokiomi Tohsaka asked her to confirm it, she could only hurriedly deny it.
Perhaps Sakura Matou had lied with this thought in mind—
It's enough that there is only one person who knows my true feelings.
"Thank you for speaking up for me in front of Father... Uncle Tohsaka.
"And I'm sorry... I lied before. I actually didn't want to leave the Tohsaka Family..."
On the way home, Sakura Matou nervously apologized to him.
He was clearly speaking up for me, but I... I really did something terrible.
However, the boy merely replied, "It's nothing. I've long since gotten used to betrayal."
Sakura Matou's face turned deathly pale. "Th-then..."
"I was just joking."
Under the setting sun, the boy gave the girl a gentle smile.
Shirou was not petty enough to hold a grudge against a six-year-old child.
Although she had lied at the time, circumstances had forced her to do so.
Besides, it had not caused Shirou any harm. Once she realized her mistake and was willing to apologize, she was still a good child.
—After all, the fairies never believed they were wrong in the slightest.
"—"
The girl's lips parted slightly.
At that moment, Sakura Matou felt as though everything around her had come to a standstill.
Sakura had never understood what the words "love at first sight" meant. Now, she knew.
"Brother Shirou... No..."
At nine that night, Sakura Matou tossed and turned on the unfamiliar bed.
"Shirou... No, that's too familiar..."
"Amamiya-kun... Mm, no, that won't do either. Shirou is only one year older than me..."
After thinking it over, she still felt that "Brother" was the most suitable.
It was not that Sakura Matou wanted Shirou to become her brother.
Unlike Shinji Matou, Shirou was more mature.
Gentle, steady, and considerate.
Brave and fearless, while also possessing a strong sense of justice.
Shirou matched every definition of an "ideal older brother" in the girl's heart.
If "Brother" would not do, was there another, more suitable word?
The only six-year-old girl did not know.
Perhaps she would understand once she grew up—a form of address even more suitable for Shirou than "Brother."
Until she found that word, she would call him "Brother Shirou."
"Knock, knock, knock."
The cold knocking interrupted her pleasant fantasies.
It was Tsuruno Matou.
"Grandfather is looking for you."
Sakura Matou obediently nodded. "I understand. I'll come right away."
For some reason, the middle-aged man who had already become the girl's father turned his gaze toward the corner of the room, as if he did not dare look her in the eyes.
"Get ready and come over quickly. The Matou Family's magecraft training begins tonight."
Sakura Matou walked down the dim, lightless corridor.
Compared to the Western-style mansion of the Tohsaka Family, this place was gloomy and damp. Not to mention seven- or eight-year-old children—even adults would find it frightening.
But Sakura was not afraid.
The moment she thought of Brother Shirou living in the same mansion, the girl felt there was nothing to fear.
He was clearly only seven years old, yet he had dared to face Tokiomi Tohsaka without the slightest fear.
Even her sister could never have done such a thing.
Sakura Matou once again felt the urge to grow up faster.
She wanted to grow up quickly.
To become an excellent girl.
Not merely one who was unafraid of walking through the night alone.
Sakura Matou also wanted to catch up with her sister and become a girl capable of attracting Brother Shirou's gaze.
So—for tonight's magecraft training, she had to work hard.
But... before she officially began working hard, it should be fine to give herself a little motivation, right?
Yes, yes. Before going to Grandfather, she would first go and wish Brother Shirou good night...
It would be even better if she could see him give her a gentle smile. Hehe...
Thinking this, Sakura Matou changed direction and headed toward the Guest Room on the second floor.
"Sakura, where are you going?"
At the corner, a hunched figure emerged from the darkness.
Before you continue